Cycling in Languedoc, south France

The Languedoc is a cyclist’s paradise. From flat canal banks to undulating vineyards and steep mountain roads; whatever your style there is something here for you.

Hearty road cyclists can follow the tyre tracks of the Languedoc sections of the Tour de France. Mountain bikers can get off the beaten track and into trails through the vineyards, garrigue or mountains. Family cyclists can also enjoy the splendours of the area with well kept Voie Verte trails along quiet tracks or canal banks. The 240km path alongside the Canal du Midi is the most famous cycleway in the region, but that shouldn’t stop you exploring the endless possibilities elsewhere.

With so many choices let us make things a little easier with our guide to the where, what and how of cycling in the Languedoc. Independent souls will just pick up a map and choose a route or may even be tempted to take a look at some of the companies that operate tours in the area and let them plan the routes and hotels. Don’t want to bring your bike along? Then you can use our guide to find a bike hire venue.

Happy Cycling!

Where to cycle in Languedoc

This is the best way to discover the Languedoc. You aren’t aiming to go fast or get muddy zooming downhill, you just want to explore the highways and byways; whether on or off the tarmac.

There are a number of classic rides in the Languedoc that are easy to follow and right at the top of the list is the magnificent Canal du Midi. This is the 240km trail that links Toulouse to the charming little port of Marseillan on the Mediterranean coast. You don’t have to cycle all of it, just choose the parts that you think you’d like to see. It’s a delightful way of seeing life in the slow lane; even on the bike you’ll be speedy compared to the gently chugging canal boats. Check out www.canalmidi.com, written by the author of Le Canal du Midi a vélo (N.B the hire shop Velos-Midi Cycle are no longer operating).

If you want to look beyond canals and lockgates the Languedoc- Roussillion has 8 Voies Verte (a national green cyclepaths scheme). These are specially developed cycleways in beautiful parts of the region; for full route details have a look at www.af3v.org.

Voie Verte Name

Starts

Finishes

KMs

Bikes

Countryside

1: de l'Agly

Le Barcarès

Claira

8 km

All types

Flat, coast

2: de la Vaunage

Caveirac

RD40 fin provisoire (Calvisson)

8 km

All types

Rolling

3: de Toulouges à Thuir

Toulouges

Thuir

12 km

All types

Rolling

4: du canal de la Robine

Narbonne

Port-la-Nouvelle

22 km

VTC

Flat

5: du canal du Midi Carcassonne-Trèbes

Carcassonne

Trèbes

14 km

VTT, VTC

Rolling

6: du canal du Midi de Béziers à Portiragnes-Plage

Béziers (port)

Portiragnes beach

15 km

All types

Flat, coast

7: du Jaur de Courniou à Olargues

Courniou

Mons-la-Trivalle

32 km

VTT, VTC

Mountains

8: du Martinet

Hameau d'Alcéa (Beaucaire)

Route de l'abbaye de Saint-Roman (Beaucaire)

4 km

VTT, VTC

Flat

BIKE HIRE

CYCLING HOLIDAYS

STANDARD LISTINGS:

Echappee - Bike Hire

Website:

www.axatbandb.com

Email:

axatbandb@gmail.com

Phone:

04 68 74 04 83

Relax Rentals - Bike Hire

Website:

www.relaxrentals.fr

Email:

relaxbeziers@gmail.com

Phone:

06 38 12 32 82

Village Vélo - Bike Hire

Mountain bike, Regular bike &
Tandem bike hire

Website:

www.villagevelo.com

Email:

info@villagevelo.com

Phone:

06.86.45.13.10

Location Cycles - Bike Hire

Mountain bike and Regular bike hire.

Website:

www.cyclesduzes.sitew.fr

Email:

cycles.uzes@orange.fr

Phone:

04.66.57.41.15

Pub Cycles - Bike Hire

Hire Regular bikes, Mountain bikes & Tandems.

Website:

www.pubcycles.fr.st

Email:

pubcycles@fr.st

Phone:

04.68.49.85.72

Vaunage Passion Vélos - Bike Hire

Mountain bike and regular bike hire.

Website:

www.vaunagepassionvelos.com

Email:

vaunage.passion.velo@free.fr

Phone:

04.66.81.43.78

Ozone VTT - Bike Hire

Mountain Bike hire close to Lac du Salagou.

Website:

www.ozone-vtt-cycles.com

Email:

ozone.vttcycles@gmail.com

Phone:

04.67.96.27.17

Holiday Bikes - Bike, Scooter, Motorcycle Hire

Regular bikes, electric bikes, scooters, motorcycle hire.

Website:

http://www.holiday-bikes.com/fr/FR108H_Montpellier-face-gare.html

Email:

montpellier@holiday-bikes.com

Phone:

04 67 92 78 77

Vélomagg - Bike Hire

Regular bike hire from 44 stations around the Montpellier centre.

Website:

http://www.montpellier-agglo.com/tam/page.php?id_rubrique=314

Email:

http://www.montpellier-agglo.com/tam/page.php?id_rubrique=10

Phone:

04.67.22.87.82

Planet Vélo - Bike Hire

Mountain bike & regular bike hire.

Website:

http://www.planetevelos.com

Phone:

04 67 98 34 04

Evasion Raviege - Bike Hire

Phone:

04.67.97.53.96

Localex - Bike Hire

Mountain bikes, Regular bikes & race bike.

Website:

www.localex.fr/velos.html

Email:

contact@localex.fr

Phone:

04.67.32.19.28

Espace Bike - Bike Hire

Phone:

04.66.65.01.81

Passion Vélo - Bike Hire

Mountain bike hire.

Website:

www.passion-velo-lozere.fr

Email:

http://www.passion-velo-lozere.fr/index.php/nous-contacter.html

Phone:

04.66.31.18.15

Loc-Evasion - Bike Hire

Regular bike, mountain bike and tandem bike hire.

Website:

http://argeleslocation.e-monsite.com

Email:

duflof.vincent@wanadoo.fr

Phone:

04.68.54.29.66

Rambic Mountain Bike Rental

Mountain Bike rental.
We offer an excellent selection of local routes all starting in Cessenon. The routes vary in length from one hour to a full day and include tracks through the magnificent biking countryside of the Haut Languedoc Natural Park.

VeloRoo’s cycling holidays in the south of France offer a variety of landscapes to encapsulate your senses, from a leisurely ride through idyllic local vineyards to pushing yourself on a challenging hill climb.